There are more indigenous peoples living in “isolation” in Peru than any country in the world except Brazil. All live in the Amazon - the majority in poorly-protected reserves, or areas where reserves have been proposed but never established, or “protected natural areas” such as national parks.

Palm oil is one of the most controversial yet ubiquitous agricultural commodities in the world, used in everyday products ranging from cooking oil and chocolate to toothpaste and soap. Over the past few decades, the palm oil industry has contributed significantly to the economic development of Indonesia and Malaysia, which together produce an estimated 85 to 90 per cent of global supply.

Unclear regulations on land ownership have led to overlapping claims, with some indigenous people occupying the concession areas of palm oil companies

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesian security companies have seen a surge in demand for guards to protect palm oil plantations from fruit thieves and land grabbers, amid a rebound in prices of the commodity used to churn out everything from cooking oil to soap.

Villagers of Klong Sai Pattana say palm oil company responsible for targeted killings and harassment of their community.

Chai Buri District, Thailand - As he manoeuvred his pick-up truck along the dirt track leading to his village of Klong Sai Pattana one afternoon, Supot Kalasong, 42, heard a loud bang. He had been driving home after getting an oil-change in a nearby town and for a split second, he thought one of his tyres had exploded, burst by one of the sharp rocks on the path.

Colonialism brought large-scale farming to Africa, promising modernisation and jobs – but often dispossessing people and exploiting workers. Now, after several decades of independence, and with investor interest growing, African governments are once again promoting large plantations and estates. But the new corporate interest in African agriculture has been criticised as a “land grab”.

The Act concerns the valuation of land for rating and taxing purposes, it consists of 101 sections and is divided into nine Parts. Part 3 is dedicated to valuation which is to be done by the chief executive. There are different types of valuations, including valuation for rental purposes (sect. 15), of mining leases (sect. 24), of petroleum leases (sect. 26) and valuation for community titles scheme (sect. 26A). Part 4 is dedicated to annual valuations and Part 5 to valuations rolls. Part 6 concerns notice of valuation (other than annual) and objections, while Part 6A covers appeals.

Item 2 shall be amended to add the following phrase: “background concentration of oil products in soil shall be considered typical for background territory concentration of chemicals and components in soil.”

Amends: Ministerial Decree No. 962 regarding the sphere of competence of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection. (2006-07-29)